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Assessment of Acute Wound Healing using the Dorsal Subcutaneous Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Implantation and Excisional Tail Skin Wound Models.
Published on: March 25, 2020
Anticandidal effect of Eucalyptus oil and three isolated compounds on cutaneous wound healing in rats
M A El-Sakhawy1, G A Soliman, H H El-Sheikh
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia. msakhawy@hotmail.com.
Objective:
Poor healing is one of the major complications of microbial contamination of wounds. When the skin is damaged, microorganisms can quickly invade the underlying tissues and cause infections that are potentially life-threatening. As a result, effective therapies are required to handle such pathological disorders. Several bioactivities, including fungicidal and antibacterial properties, have been noted for Eucalyptus essential oils. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Eucalyptus oil (EO) and mixed oils (MO) of Eucalyptus citriodora, citronellol acetate, linalool, and α-pinene on the healing of C. albicans infected wounds in rats.
Materials And Methods:
Essential oils were extracted from the fresh areal parts of Eucalyptus citriodora, Lavandula stricta, and Rosmarinus officinalis then their active compounds were chromatographically isolated and identified using GC/Ms. The in vitro antifungal activities of EO and MO were evaluated against Candida albicans using the Agar well diffusion method. Further, their effect on the healing of C. albicans infected wounds was evaluated via the excision wound rat's model. Percentages of wound contraction, epithelialization period, wound Candida load, and the histopathology of wounded tissues were evaluated to confirm the progression of wound healing.
Results:
Results of the in vitro tests showed that MO has a potent activity against C. albicans evaluated by an inhibitory zone (IZ) diameter of 23.4 mm and a MIC value of 0.24 g/mL, compared to EO's corresponding values of 13.4 mm and 15.63 g/mL. The beneficial impacts of MO creams in improving the percentage of contraction of C. albicans contaminated wounds were better than those of EO creams. MO 10% cream showed the greatest proportion of wound contraction and epithelialization rate. The beneficial effect of MO was further confirmed by a significant reduction of the fungal load of wounds in addition to histopathological improvement compared to the NC group.
Conclusions:
This study suggested the potential of 10% MO cream in enhancing the healing of C. albicans infected wounds upon topical application.
Insights
Mixed Eucalyptus oils (MO) effectively healed Candida albicans infected wounds in rats, showing significant wound contraction and reduced fungal load. This suggests MO cream is a promising topical treatment for wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Microbial contamination of wounds, particularly by Candida albicans, significantly impairs healing.
- Eucalyptus essential oils possess known fungicidal and antibacterial properties.
- Effective therapies are crucial for managing infected wounds and preventing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Eucalyptus oil (EO) and mixed oils (MO) against Candida albicans infected wounds in rats.
- To evaluate the wound healing potential of MO containing citronellol acetate, linalool, and α-pinene.
- To compare the effects of EO and MO on wound contraction, epithelialization, and fungal load.
Main Methods:
- Essential oils were extracted and their compounds identified using GC/MS.
- In vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans was assessed using the Agar well diffusion method.
- The effect on wound healing was evaluated in rats using an excision wound model, measuring wound contraction, epithelialization, fungal load, and histopathology.
Main Results:
- Mixed oils (MO) demonstrated potent in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans with a 23.4 mm inhibitory zone and 0.24 g/mL MIC.
- MO creams significantly improved wound contraction and epithelialization rates compared to EO creams.
- Topical application of 10% MO cream led to a significant reduction in fungal load and improved histopathological outcomes.
Conclusions:
- 10% Mixed Oils (MO) cream shows significant potential for enhancing the healing of Candida albicans infected wounds.
- Topical application of MO cream is an effective therapeutic strategy for managing fungal wound infections.
- Further research into MO as a wound healing agent is warranted.
